Radiant and convective heat resistant materials and emergency fire shelter made therefrom

ABSTRACT

The invention is a new heat and fire resistant material and an improved wildland fire shelter and kit. The material is made of a woven silica-based cloth layered in several possible combinations with foil and fiberglass cloth layers. The layers can be arranged in a variety of sequences to minimize the thermal radiation to the inside of the material or shelter. However, a foil layer must always be the outermost layer to provide protection from radiant heat and a layer of foil must be present between the interior of the shelter or material and any layer of adhesive to limit accumulation of gases inside the shelter if the adhesive or other substance should break down when exposed to heat. The silica cloth, aluminum foil, and fiberglass cloth may be laminated or sewn together. The shape of the fire shelter is a half cylinder with ¼ sphere at each end. The shelter is contained in an easy-open polyvinyl bag which provides for quick removal and deployment of the fire shelter.

STATEMENT OF FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP

The Government of the United States of America has rights in thisinvention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present inventive subject matter relates to materials that areresistant to radiant and convective heat. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a novel emergency fire shelter constructed of theheat and fire resistant materials. The present invention also relates toa kit containing an emergency fire shelter that can be quicky deployedin the event of danger from a wildland fire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An emergency fire shelter is a compact, tent-like structure providingemergency protection to a firefighter trapped by a rapidly advancingforest fire. The fire shelter is constructed of materials that areresistant to radiant and convective heat. An example of such a materialis a heat-reflecting foil bonded to the outside of a fiberglass cloth. Acombination of flexible materials allows the fire shelter to beaccordion folded into a compact brick that can be carried with thefirefighter at all times. Thus, the selection of materials for use inthe construction of an emergency fire shelter is critical to itseffectiveness.

Several layered materials are designed to provide a shield from avariety of environmental hazards including heat and fire. However, thereis a need for an improved light, flexible, and strong material whichprovides protection from radiant and convective heat. Such a materialwould not only be used in construction of emergency fire shelters, butcould also be used as a shield against fire and heat in other settingsincluding, for instance, fire barriers, heat shields, fire proofcurtains and the like.

Emergency fire shelters in use today share the same form as a pup tent,triangular in shape. Such a design is illustrated by U.S. Pat. No.5,921,388 to Petrilli et. al. A problem with emergency fire shelterscurrently used is that they have flat, triangular ends that areperpendicular to the ground and reflect radiant energy. Reflection ofthis energy to the ground immediately adjacent to the fire shelterincreases the likelihood that fire will start adjacent to the shelter,thus allowing damage to the fire shelter prior to the arrival of theflame front. Accordingly, there is a need for an emergency fire shelterdesign that minimizes such heat transfer. More information on prior artfire shelters and their use is contained in “Your Fire Shelter” and“Your Fire Shelter, Beyond the Basics” published by the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture, Forest Service, Technology and DevelopmentProgram, under Codes NFES 1750 and 2179, hereby incorporated byreference.

An emergency fire shelter is inevitably deployed under emergencysituations and time is frequently of the essence. Ideal deployment is inan area removed from large amounts of combustible material. For thisreason, the initial stages of deployment may occur while the firefighteris running to a safe deployment area. When using many of the prior artfire shelters, the removal of the fire shelter from its carrying casemay be hampered by the firefighter's dropping of his or her backpack toobtain greater mobility and to jettison dangerous combustible materialssuch as fusees.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an emergency fire shelter thatis easier and faster to deploy. Such a shelter would require ease oftransport by fire fighters and protection during prolonged periods ofstorage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Various layered materials are designed to provide a shield from avariety of environmental hazards such as heat and fire. The designs varydepending on the application for which the material is to be used. Thesedesigns include fabrics as well as composite designs.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,805 discloses a fire, heat and backdraft protectionsystem for protecting firefighters in all types of fires. The protectionsystem includes a composite laminate structure having a plurality oflayers for the protection of firefighters who are exposed to hightemperatures of 2200 degrees Farenheight for 30 minutes in duration. Theplurality of layers includes an outer first layer, an inner second layerand an inner third layer. The outer first layer is a fiberglass textilehaving an intumescent coating resistant to heat, water and impact. Theinner second layer is a metal foil layer for reflecting heat andeliminates the convection transfer of heat. The inner third layer is alow conductivity refractory blanket for reducing the transmission ofheat. The inner fourth layer is a metal foil layer for reflecting heatand eliminates the convection transfer of heat.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,319 discloses a flexible fire barrier felt thatincludes an organic polymeric binder; a phosphorus-containing compound;organic fibers with pendant hydroxyl groups; and a heat absorbingcompound. The flexible fire barrier felt is comprised of at least 10wt-% of an organic polymeric binder; at least about 5 wt-% of organicfibers having pendant hydroxyl groups; and at least about 10 wt-% of aheat absorbing compound; wherein the felt contains at least about 0.3wt-% phosphorus, as provided by a phosphorus-containing compound; andwherein all weight percentages are based on the total dry weight of thefelt.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,926 discloses a flexible fire and heat resistantmaterial comprising an intimate mixture of organic intumescent fillerand organic fibers adapted to char intensely within the temperaturerange of 200° C. to 500° C. The added presence of inorganic fibercomponents enhances the structural integrity of this structure bothduring char formation up to 500° C. and at higher temperatures up to1200° C. once char oxidation takes place.

Some fire shelters and tents presently being used have generally roundedfeatures. Examples of tents found in the prior art as listed below.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,926 discloses a tent with a fabric layer over one ormore arch poles, wherein said pole or poles is tensionable by means oftensioning members connected between upper and lower points of each saidpole. More particularly, the tent is comprised of a fabric layer overone or more flexible resilient poles having opposed pole ends, each polebeing arched and defined within a respective generally vertical plane.The tent has a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the plane ofthe poles, each pole being oriented such that the pole ends define lowerpoints and a region of the pole intermediate the pole ends defines anupper point. A pair of tensioning members connected to the poles, eachtensioning member having opposed ends connected at one end to the upperpoint of the pole and at the other tensioning member end to one or theother of the lower points of the pole to be in the same plane as thepole. The tensioning member is positioned within the tent and distortionof pole shape laterally to the longitudinal axis of the tent isresisted.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,757 discloses a double walled tent supported byoutwardly leaning pairs of arches and an interconnecting flexible ridgemember. The ridge member is associated with the outer wall or cover, sothat the outer wall may be tensioned to form the shelter. An inner wallor cover is suspended from the outer wall by netted webbing which allowscirculation between the walls.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,096 discloses a tent comprised of outer nonporousand inner porous layers disposed in spaced relation to each other, witha continuous air passageway there between. Compression tent supportingmeans comprises a plurality of demountable, substantially, semicircularrods, preferably formed of fiber glass, forming arched rafters, and of aplurality of relatively short pieces slidably interconnected to form tworod units. These two rod units are interconnected by a sleeve, slidablymounted on one unit, to slidably receive the end portion of the other.The arched rafters are spaced apart and aligned substantially parallelto each other and progressively decrease in diameter in a tentlongitudinal direction. An inner tent layer is suspendedly supported byan outer layer by porous netting strips. At the end portions, nonporous,substantially semiannular shaped end members are provided which extendradially inwardly and angularly between the inner and outer tent layers.At the end portions, the outer tent layer is under tension by opposite,outwardly directed forces. All of the forces holding the tent in placeare tension forces except forces acting through the tent rod units whichare compression forces. All heat generated within the tent, such as thatformed by human breathing or by the burning of a candle, rises upwardlyin the tent and passes through the inner tent layer, thencelongitudinally through the passageway between the inner and outer tentlayers and thereafter out through the tent end portions by way ofbreather passageways disposed in end portions of the tent.

As discussed previously, it is important that an emergency fire shelterhave ease of transport by fire fighters and be protected duringprolonged periods of storage. Further, it is desirable that the shelteris fast and easy to deploy. Numerous patents disclose rapidly deployabledevices such as belt packs and the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,388 discloses a rapidly deployable fire shelter thatemploys a flexible web handle attached directly to a protective pouchholding the folded fire shelter. The handle includes opposed fastenersurfaces that may be interposed between the closure normally holding thecover to the protective pouch. The handle extends outside the pouch tobe grasped by the firefighter and pulled so as in a single motion torelease the cover from the pouch and extract the fire shelter withoutloss of control of the fire shelter.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,955 discloses a device for providing a gripping aidfor the tandem passenger of a vehicle is described. The device includesa harness worn by the operator of the vehicle. The harness is securedaround the upper region of the operator's torso, and the grippinghandles are attached to the harness such that the passenger can bepositioned closer to the operator while comfortably gripping thehandles. An adjustable, quick release clasp allows the operator toquickly put on, remove, and adjust the harness.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,973 discloses a low profile backpack system whichincludes a mechanism for allowing free movement of the shoulder strapsas the wearer moves, bends, twists from side to side, etc. The inventivemechanism comprises a buckle having a pair of transverse elongatedslots. The buckle is fixed to the top of the pack by means of a singlevertically oriented strap which passes through the lower of the twoslots. A second strap passes through the upper slot and has its endsfixed to an end of each of two shoulder straps adapted to fit over theshoulders of the wearer. A additional feature is the provision of aquick release fire shelter on the pack which may be deployed by onehand. The shelter is stored in a rectangularly shaped pouch dependingfrom the bottom of the pack. An open end of the pouch is selectivelyclosed by a flap secured by Velcro fasteners. Pulling a release strapdepending from the pouch first disengages the fasteners. Further pullingof the release strap causes the folded safety tent to be ejected from aplastic housing in which it is stored within the pouch.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,252 discloses a quickly inflatable survival devicefor skiers comprising a protective and buoyant plurality of concentricspheres made of flexibly impervious material which is stored uninflatedaround the waist in a belt pack using a detachable belt, and coveredwith a detachable flexible cover. To activate when needed, an inflationpull ring connected to a pressure vessel and valve is manually pulled torelease a pressurized gas into the chambers between the inner spherewall and the outer sphere wall, the sphere walls being limited inseparation by the use of wall partition segments having aircommunications openings to allow free air flow throughout the chambers.Immediately after pulling the inflation ring, the person crouches downand the sphere is very quickly and forcefully expanded, detaching thecover, to its inflated spherical configuration and totally encloses theperson, providing protection and buoyancy in snow avalancheenvironments. Deflation is accomplished using the pressure relief valve,then either exit enclosure is opened using the fabric handles and theoccupant releases the belt and steps out of the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,797 discloses a backpack for use in carrying hose,such as fire hose, to locations where it is needed. The backpackincludes a rigid metallic frame having at one end a hose support shelfon which at least two spirally coiled rolls of fire hose may be carried.Quickly engageable and releasable straps are provided to bind the coilsof fire hose to the back frame, and shoulder straps and a waist strapare provided to suspend the backpack on the back of the wearer. All thatis required of the wearer to release and deploy one or more coils ofhose from the backpack is to tug on one end of a flexible cable, withthe result that the quick-release straps that bind the coils to theframe are released, thus enabling the coils of hose to be deployed by amere shrug of the shoulders.

However, there remains a need for a material that is resistant toradiant and convective heat. Further, there is a need for an improvedemergency fire shelter design that improves the volume to surface arearatio and can be used in a kit by firefighters.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the invention is a flexible, layered materialresistant to radiant and convective heat comprising: at least twoaluminum foil layers, at least one silica based cloth layer, and atleast one fiberglass cloth layer; wherein the layers are sewn togetheror bonded with adhesive; wherein a first aluminum foil layer is anoutermost layer that faces the radiant and convective heat; and whereinall adhesives are contained between said first aluminum foil layer andsaid second aluminum foil layer.

Another embodiment of the claimed invention is an emergency fire sheltercomprising: a floor and a canopy connected thereto, wherein said flooris oval in shape and has an opening therein; wherein said canopy issemi-capsular in shape; and wherein said floor and canopy areconstructed of a material that is heat and fire resistant.

Another embodiment of the claimed invention is a fire shelter storagesystem allowing rapid deployment comprising: an emergency fire sheltercomprising a floor and a canopy connected thereto, wherein said floor isoval in shape and has an opening therein; wherein said canopy issemi-capsular in shape; and wherein said floor and canopy areconstructed of a material that is heat and fire resistant; an outerprotective pouch sized to receive the emergency fire shelter unitthrough an open end of the pouch, the pouch further including a coverdetachably covering the open end as retained by a releasable fastenerattaching a portion of the cover to a portion of the pouch; and a handlehaving one end attached to the emergency fire shelter unit and sized sothat when the fire shelter unit is received within the pouch and thecover is in place over the opening, the handle may extend out of thepouch adjacent to the releasable fastener to present an exposed end to auser; whereby the emergency fire shelter may be removed from the pouchby applying a force to the handle to release the releasable fastener andextract the fire shelter unit from the pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a flexible, layeredmaterial resistant to radiant and convective heat;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view in cut away of a deployed emergency fireshelter;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a deployed emergency fireshelter;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a deployed emergency fire shelter;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a deployed emergency fire shelter;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a protective pouch having an attachedcover and holding an emergency fire shelter, the latter contained in aprotective vinyl bag having an attached extraction handle per thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-section taken along line 7—7 of FIG. 6showing the pouch of FIG. 6 when closed, prior to deployment, andshowing the interfitting of the handle between fasteners of the pouchand cover to engage those surfaces so as to hold the cover closed and toretain the fire shelter in the pouch;

FIG. 8 is a figure similar to that of FIG. 7 showing a pulling outwardof the handle during initial stages of deployment of the fire shelter soas to release the cover from the front edge of the pouch, extracting thefire shelter prior to release of the handle from the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the subject invention will now be disclosedin detail in conjunction with the figures, wherein like parts aredesignated by like reference numerals, throughout the several views.While the present inventive fire and heat resistant material isapplicable for use in a variety of settings, a preferred embodiment,discussed below, is an emergency fire shelter. More particularly, one ofthe preferred embodiments is a fire shelter storage system that may bequickly deployed and which contains an emergency fire shelterconstructed of the inventive fire and heat resistant material.

In general the inventive material is a flexible, layered materialresistant to radiant and convective heat. There must be at least fourlayers in the inventive material with at least two layers being aluminumfoil layers, at least one layer a silica based cloth layer, and at leastone layer being a fiberglass cloth layer. The number of each type oflayer and the positioning of layers may be varied depending upon theapplication is which the layered material is to be used. However, theinventive layered material must have the following features.

A first aluminum foil layer is disposed as an outermost layer near asource of radiant and convective heat. The first aluminum foil layerreflects radiant energy. This prevents much of the radiant heat frompassing into the layered material below.

Each layer is either sewn to adjoining layers or is bonded to adjoininglayers with adhesive. A second aluminum foil layer is positioned suchthat any adhesive used to bind layers together are located between thefirst and second aluminum foil layers. Sandwiching all adhesives betweenthe first and second aluminum foil layers prevents gases that may beproduced by the heating of adhesives from escaping from the layeredmaterial on the side opposite of the radiant and convective heat source.The innermost layer must be non-emitting for thermal radiation. Thefirst and second aluminum foil layers may not be positioned next to oneanother. Additional aluminum foil layers, however, may be disposedthroughout the inventive material.

At least one silica based cloth layer and at least one fiberglass clothlayer must be disposed within the inventive material. The woven silicabased cloth layer(s) prevent much of the convective heat from passingthrough the inventive material while the fiberglass layer(s) providestrength. Additional silica cloth layers and fiberglass layers may bedisposed throughout the inventive material.

In use, fire and heat resistant materials operate under two scenarios,no hot gas contact and hot gas contact. The following is an example ofsuch materials used in a fire shelter where there is no hot gas contact.In this sceanrio, the incident energy (radiation) strikes the surface ofthe shelter. Most, approximately 95%, is reflected back to theenvironment. The remainder is absorbed and results in a heating of thesurface. The temperature of the material (outer aluminum) rises and,because aluminum is a poor radiator, the energy is conducted through tothe silica cloth and air spaces within the cloth matrix. Some energy isalso lost to the environment (air) because the surrounding air is coolerthan the aluminum layer. Silica cloth is a much better radiator so nowthere are multiple modes of energy transfer in response to a temperaturedifference between the back side of the aluminum (hot) and the air layerbetween the inner and outer laminate layers. Energy is transferredacross the air space to the inner laminate which in turn rises intemperature. Because the inner layer is now warmer than the interior airin the shelter energy is transferred through the inner layer and theinterior aluminum surface becomes warmer. Because it is a very poorradiator, the inner aluminum layer transfers energy to the air insidethe shelter via convection.

In contrast, these materials used in a fire shelter where there is hotgas contact (or flame contact), the reflective properties of the outeraluminum layer don't matter as much because the dominant energy transfermode is convection. Outer layer gets hot and the remaining mechanismsare as with the case above. Things happen much more quickly because theouter layer is now immersed in a hot gas and can only gain energy fromthe gas. In hot gas contact scenarios, the energy flow is one way,towards the interior.

A preferred embodiment of the inventive layered material is illustratedin FIG. 1. Referring now to FIG. 1, inventive layered material 2 iscomprised of an outer shell 4 and an inner shell 6. Outer shell 4 isconstructed of a first aluminum foil layer 8 and a woven silica clothbased layer 10 and is disposed nearest to a fire and/or heat source 12.First aluminum foil layer 8 serves to reflect radiant heat generated byfire and/or heat source 12. First aluminum foil layer 8 is between 0.5to 2.0 mil in thickness, preferably between 0.8 to 1.2 mil, mostpreferably approximately 1.0 mil in thickness.

First aluminum foil layer 8 is laminated with an adhesive 16 to wovensilica based cloth layer 10. Woven silica based cloth layer 10 preventsmuch of the convective heat from passing through the inventive material.Woven silica based cloth layer 10 is 6 to 13 oz. cloth, preferably 8 to12 oz. cloth, most preferable 10 oz. cloth (Although often 10 oz. clothmay weigh in the range of 9 to 11 oz.). Woven silica cloth layer 10 canbe obtained through Hi Tech Products, Inc. in Delaware.

Adhesive 16 used to bind layers of outer shell 4 is preferably a hightemperature, non-toxic glue. If material 2 is to be used in theconstruction of an emergency fire shelter, then Adhesive 16 must be ahigh temperature, non-toxic glue. The preferred adhesive 16 is a hightemperature, non-toxic glue proprietary to Cleveland Laminating, Corp.of Cleveland, Ohio.

Inner shell 6 is comprised of a fiberglass cloth layer 18 and a secondaluminum foil layer 20. Maximum flexibility, strength and a low weightis desired when selecting fiberglass cloth layer 18. Style number 1080-Dfiberglass cloth, available commercially, obtained through ClevelandLaminating, Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio is preferred for fiberglass clothlayer 18. Second aluminum foil layer 20 is laminated with an adhesive 16to fiberglass cloth layer 18. Again, a high temperature, non-toxic glueas discussed above is preferred.

Second aluminum foil layer 20 serves to minimize re-radiation of heatthat passes through other layers of material 2. Further, second aluminumfoil layer 20 is an innermost layer of material 2 so that any gasesproduced by the heating of adhesives or other substance (i.e. starchesor sizing) are prevented from escaping from material 2 on the sideopposite of the fire and/or heat source 12. Second aluminum foil layer20 is between 0.5 to 2.0 mil in thickness, preferably between 0.5 to 0.8mil, most preferably approximately 0.65 mil in thickness.

Outer shell 4 and inner shell 6 are sewn together at seam 24 such thatan air gap 26 is created between outer shell 4 and inner shell. Air gap26 creates additional insulation which further retards the passage ofheat toward the inside of material 2.

The “pup tent” style emergency fire shelters currently in use have flat,triangular ends that are substantially perpendicular to the ground whenthe shelter is in use. These ends reflect radiant energy to the groundimmediately adjacent to the fire shelter and increase the likelihoodthat fuel in close proximity to the shelter will be ignited. Firesimmediately adjacent to the shelter might damage the shelter prior tothe arrival of the flame front. The rounded ends of the inventive fireshelter illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 forces much of the radiant heat to bedispersed instead of heating the ground adjacent to the shelter.

The “pup tent” style emergency fire shelters also have a large surfacearea to volume ratio. This allows more radiant heat to transfer to thematerial and then into the fire shelter. The inventive fire shelter hasa smaller surface area to volume ratio which reduces the amount of heattransfer to the inside of the inventive fire shelter.

Referring now to FIG. 2, fire shelter 102 is semi-capsular in shape. Afire shelter canopy 103 of fire shelter 102 is made up of a main body104 and with two shelter ends 106 attached at both ends of main body104. Main body 104 is shaped like a half cylinder while two shelter ends106 are shaped like ¼ spheres. Main body 104 and shelter ends 106 aresewn together along end seams 107. In the preferred embodiment, mainbody 104 is constructed of two pieces sewn together at mid-point seam114. Structural seams 112 are seams where fabric of main body 104 isfolded over and sewn. Structural seams 112, end seams 107 and mid-pointseam 114 limit damage to other areas of fire shelter 102 in the eventthat one section sustains damage. Shelter end seams 113 allow forshaping of shelter ends 106.

A floor 118 is sewn to main body 104 at perimeter seam 110 which extendsaround perimeter of fire shelter 102. Seam tape 109 is disposed aroundthe entire perimeter of fire shelter 102 and is affixed by perimeterseam 110. In FIG. 2, seam tape 109 is not shown on a portion of theperimeter of fire shelter 102 in order to allow a better view of theintersection of perimeter seam 110 with structural seams 112, end seams107 and mid-point seam 114 intersect. Floor 118 is shaped like an ovalwith a hole 120 disposed therein. Hole 120 is preferably rectangular inshape and is used by a firefighter to gain access to fire shelter 102.More particularly, hole 120 is approximately eight inches in width andfifty-eight inches in length. This affords a firefighter easy access tofire shelter 102 while using their body (not shown) once inside to weighdown fire shelter 102. Handles 116 are sewn into perimeter seam 110 toaid a firefighter in deploying fire shelter 102. One of handles 116 ismarked to a right hand while a second is marked for a left hand. Thisensures that a firefighter deploys fire shelter 102 with hole 120 closeto (or facing) the firefighter for quicker entry.

In use, a firefighter deploys fire shelter 102 using handles 116. Afirefighter then enters fire shelter 102 through hole 120. Because theperimeter of a firefighter's body is greater that the perimeter of hole120, the firefighters body secures fire shelter 102 to the ground. Inaddition, the firefighter would slip his or her arms through straps 123up to the elbow to positively hold the shelter down. Fire shelter 102 ispreferably constructed of a fire and heat resistant material. Morepreferably, fire shelter 102 is constructed of material 2 describedabove.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a view of floor 118 from under fire shelter102, floor 118 is made up of various floor pieces 124 that are sewntogether at floor seams 122. Floor 118 has a hole 120 that is preferablyrectangular in shape and is used by a firefighter to gain access to fireshelter 102. More particularly, hole 120 is approximately eight inchesin width and fifty-eight inches in length. Floor 118 is sewn to canopy103 at seam 110 which is also used to attach handles 116 to fire shelter102. Floor 118 is constructed of a silica based cloth laminated on eachside with an aluminum foil layer. The aluminum foil layer are between0.5 to 2.0 mil in thickness, preferably between 0.5 to 0.8 mil, mostpreferably approximately 0.65 mil in thickness. Silica based cloth layeris 5 to 13 oz. cloth, most preferable 6.5 oz. cloth.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, canopy 103 of fire shelter 102 is madeup of a main body 104 and two shelter ends 106. Main body 104 andshelter ends 106 are sewn together along end seams 107. In the preferredembodiment, main body 104 is constructed of two pieces sewn together atmid-point seam 114. Structural seams 112 are seams where fabric of mainbody 104 is folded over and sewn. Structural seams 112, end seams 107and mid-point seam 114 limit damage to other areas of fire shelter 102in the event that one section sustains damage. Shelter end seams 113allow for shaping of shelter ends 106. In FIG. 5 only, canopy 103 issewn to floor 118 (not shown) at perimeter seam 110.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a fire shelter assembly 210 includes an outerpouch 212 constructed of nylon duck or the like to provide a generallyrectangular volume having an open end 214. A rigid plastic sleeve 216fits within the pouch 212 so as to support the pouch 212 against acrushing of its contents. Fitting within the sleeve 216 is the vinyl bag218 holding within it the fire shelter 102.

As is understood in the art, the vinyl bag 218 includes pull tabs 222which may be grasped by the firefighter to rip open the vinyl bag 218after it is removed from the pouch 212 to thereby free the fire shelter102. The upper edge of the vinyl bag 218 is heat-sealed to preventmoisture and other contaminants from contacting the contained fireshelter 102 and produce a lip 224 to which one end of a nylon web 226may be sewn. Sewing the nylon web 226 to the lip 224 provides abroad-area attachment between the nylon web 226 and the vinyl bag 218 tominimize the chance of a tearing of the vinyl bag 218 from force appliedby the nylon web 226. The vinyl bag 218 is placed in the pouch 212 withthe lip 224 extending from the open end 214.

A cover 228 constructed of the same material as the pouch 212 is sewnalong a rear hinging edge to the rear edge of the open end 214 of thepouch 212 so as to move freely between an open position (shown in FIG.6) and a closed position (shown in FIG. 7) where a front lip 230 of thecover 228 passes over a front edge 232 of the pouch 212. Sewn to aninner surface of the front lip 230 of the cover 228 is hook material 234such as forms part of a hook-and-loop fabric fastener such as sold underthe trade name of Velcro. Corresponding loop material 236 is sewn to theouter surface of the front edge 232 of the pouch 212.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the nylon web 226 extends upward fromthe lip 224 of the vinyl bag 218, as contained in the pouch 212, and maybe folded forward and then downward to pass over the front edge 232 ofthe pouch 212. At that point of crossing, hook material 238 may beattached to the nylon web 226 immediately adjacent to the loop material236 so as to fasten the nylon web 226 releasably against the front edge232 of the pouch 212.

The cover 228 may then be closed as shown in FIG. 7 so that the frontlip 230 lies over top of the front edge 232 of the pouch 212,sandwiching the nylon web 226 there between. To the portion of the nylonweb 226 adjacent to the hook material 234 on the cover 228 is sewn loopmaterial 240 so as to engage the hook material 234 on the cover 228 andto hold the cover 228 in a closed position via the interconnection ofthe nylon web 226 with the pouch 212. A handle portion 242 of the nylonweb 226 may extend beyond the cover 228 to the outside of the pouch 212,permitting a firefighter to grasp the nylon web 226 at the handleportion 242 by sliding a hand (not shown) along the front of the pouch212.

Referring still to FIG. 7, one or more belt or backpack hangers 244 maybe attached to the rear side of the pouch 212 according to methods wellknown in the art, to suspend the pouch 212 from a belt or backpack.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the handle portion 242 may be pulled away fromthe front edge 232 of the pouch 212 and outward toward the open end 214of the pouch 212 so as to release the loop material 236 on the pouch212, and forming half of a releasable connector from the hook material238 on the nylon web 226, thereby opening cover 228 as shown in FIG. 8.Further outward motion of the handle portion 242 detaches loop material240 attached to nylon web 226 from hook material 234 attached to thefront lip 230 of the cover 228, wholly releasing the nylon web 226 fromthe cover 228 and pouch 212. Further outward motion completely extractsthe vinyl bag 218 from the pouch 212 while maintaining the fire shelter102 in control of the firefighter via the handle portion 242.

The web 226 and/or handle portion 242 may then be used as one point ofpurchase for the gripping and tearing away of pull tabs 222 at the siteof deployment. At this time, the backpack holding the pouch 212 willhave been abandoned and a second hand will be available.

Referring still to FIG. 8, in actual use, the fire shelter 102 does notcome out of the sleeve 216 until hook material 234 and loop material 240release, but is shown lifted from the sleeve 216 for clarity.

In the closed configuration of FIG. 7, prior to deployment, it will beunderstood that the vinyl bag 218 holding the fire shelter 102 issecured by two paths of contact to the firefighter, either directly tothe pouch 212 (attached to the firefighter by belt loops or via thefirefighter's backpack) or to the pouch 212 via the cover 228.Generally, the forces on the fire shelter 102 against the cover 228during normal activity of the firefighter will act on the materials 234,240, 238 and 236, in a shearing direction, against which such fastenersare strongest. In contrast, outward motion as indicated in FIG. 7 of thehandle portion 242 peels away loop material 236 from hook material 238in a manner requiring less force. Thus accidental deployment of the fireshelter 102 is reduced. The possibility of accidental opening of thecover 228 by handle portion 242 catching on brush or the like is furtherreduced by the smooth end of handle portion 242, which may be a rolledseam and the flexibility of the handle portion 242.

Further, should the cover 228 be accidentally opened, the fire shelter102 will retain, for a period of time, its connection with the cover 228through hook and loop materials 234 and 240, increasing the chance thatsuch an accidental deployment will be detected and reducing the chancethat the fire shelter 102 will simply fall out on the ground unnoticed.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention and all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1. An emergency fire shelter comprising: a floor and a canopy connectedthereto, wherein said floor is oval in shape and has an opening thereinfor a person to gain access to the fire shelter; wherein said canopy issemi-capsular in shape having a main body shaped like a half cylinder,and two ends shaped like ¼ spheres; and wherein said floor and canopyare constructed of a material that is heat and fire resistant.
 2. Theemergency fire shelter of claim 1, wherein said material is comprised ofat least two layers.
 3. The emergency fire shelter of claim 2, whereinsaid material has at least two aluminum foil layers, at least one silicabased cloth layer, and at least one fiberglass cloth layer; wherein thelayers are sewn together or bonded with adhesive; wherein a firstaluminum foil layer is an outermost layer which faces the radiant andconvective heat; and wherein all adhesives are contained between saidfirst aluminum foil layer and said second aluminum foil layer.
 4. Theemergency fire shelter of claim 3, wherein said material is comprised ofan outer shell and an inner shell, wherein said outer shell containingsaid first aluminum foil layer which is disposed nearest to the heat,and said inner shell containing said second aluminum foil layer.
 5. Theemergency fire shelter of claim 4, wherein said outer shell is comprisedof said first aluminum foil layer laminated to said silica based cloth;wherein said inner layer is comprised of said second aluminum foil layerand said fiberglass cloth layer sewn together or bound with adhesive;and wherein said inner and out layers are sewn together.
 6. Theemergency fire shelter of claim 5, wherein said first aluminum foillayer and said second aluminum foil layer are 0.5 to 2.0 mils inthickness and said silica based cloth is 6 to 13 ounce cloth.
 7. Theemergency fire shelter of claim 3, wherein said first aluminum foillayer is 0.8 to 1.2 mils in thickness, said second aluminum foil layeris 0.5 to 0.8 mils in thickness and said silica based cloth is 9 to 11ounce cloth.
 8. The emergency fire shelter of claim 3, wherein saidfirst aluminum foil layer is approximately 1.0 mil in thickness, saidsecond aluminum foil layer is approximately 0.65 mil in thickness andsaid silica based cloth is 10 ounce cloth.
 9. In a fire shelter forprotecting a user in the presence of fire, including a flexible, layeredcanopy resistant to radiant and convective heat, wherein the canopy isconnected to a floor having an elongated opening formed therein for aperson to gain access to the fire shelter, the improvement comprising:said canopy defining a main body portion having the shape of a halfcylinder connected between two ends shaped like ¼ spheres.
 10. Theimprovement recited in claim 9, wherein said canopy is formed from amaterial comprised of at least two layers.
 11. The improvement recitedin claim 10, wherein said material has at least two aluminum foillayers, at least one silica based cloth layer, and at least onefiberglass cloth layer; wherein the layers are sewn together or bondedwith adhesive; wherein a first aluminum foil layer is an outermost layerwhich faces the radiant and convective heat, and a second aluminum foillayer is an innermost layer; and wherein all adhesives are containedbetween said first aluminum foil layer and said second aluminum foillayer.
 12. The emergency fire shelter of claim 11, wherein said materialis comprised of an outer shell and an inner shell, wherein said outershell containing said first aluminum foil layer which is disposednearest to the heat, and said inner shell containing said secondaluminum foil layer.
 13. The emergency fire shelter of claim 12, whereinsaid outer shell is comprised of said first aluminum foil layerlaminated to said silica based cloth; wherein said inner layer iscomprised of said second aluminum foil layer and said fiberglass clothlayer sewn together or bound with adhesive; and wherein said inner andout layers are sewn together.
 14. The emergency fire shelter of claim13, wherein said first aluminum foil layer and said second aluminum foillayer are 0.5 to 2.0 mils in thickness and said silica based cloth is 6to 13 ounce cloth.
 15. The emergency fire shelter of claim 11, whereinsaid first aluminum foil layer is 0.8 to 1.2 mils in thickness, saidsecond aluminum foil layer is 0.5 to 0.8 mils in thickness and saidsilica based cloth is 9 to 11 ounce cloth.
 16. The emergency fireshelter of claim 11, wherein said first aluminum foil layer isapproximately 1.0 mil in thickness, said second aluminum foil layer isapproximately 0.65 mil in thickness and said silica based cloth is 10ounce cloth.